Life is a journey, fill your tank with joy. There is an endless list of places to explore both natural and manmade, what better way than in an RV where the road is endless and dreams are big.
The sparsely populates stretch of land known as the Big Sur has inspired many for the freedom of the open road. This Californian road trip is as much a cultural trope as it is experience. The 436-mile road trip will take you around 4-5 days to experience the Coast. Grab your wheels from Travellers Autobarn Los Angeles and let the journey begin!
Los Angeles to Bubble-gum Alley
Stop 1
This infamous pedestrian alleyway is off Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. It is lined with millions of pieces of chewed gum, a tradition that has been going on since the 1970s! Here, you can be a part of history.
Bubble-gum Alley to Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Stop 2
Once you see their snouts, it is no surprise as to why they adopt the name Elephant! These sea monsters are loud and so ugly, they become cute. They come to their rookery to breed, birth and hang out. The best time to catch them are from October through March. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and take in the scenery which stretches for a massive 6 miles!
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery to Hearst Castle
Stop 3
Hearst Castle is the magnificent mansion built back in the 1940s by a newspaper mogul and is an extremely well-preserved piece of history. It sits on 127 acres and has a whopping 165 rooms – who needs that many rooms! The best part of the mansion is the ginormous Neptune pool which can hold 345,000 gallons of water.
Hearst Castle to McWay Falls
Stop 4
McWay Falls flows 80 feet and empties into the ocean. This is one of the most glorious, natural views along the coast. These falls become more mystique because it is out of reach. You cannot get down onto the beach as the cliffs are too dangerous to descend, do not try this!
McWay Falls to Nepenthe
Stop 5
End your travels by having a meal with a view. Nepenthe is the perfect place to cure your hunger. It is positioned high up in the Santa Lucia Mountains. It serves American cuisine and offers and extensive selection of wine. Grab your classic American burger and look out into the abyss. Once you have visited, you are destined to return.
Nepenthe to Big Sur
Final Stop
It’s a short 20 miles to Big Sur from Nepenthe. You will notice when you’ve arrived as the coastline changes to a rugged stretch. The Big Sur is well known for its swell and dramatic views. If you’re a keen surfer, this is the place to be! Like an oyster waiting to be opened, the Big Sur coastline may seem harsh and uninviting at first, then you will discover the pearls hidden between the cracks. The ocean here, demands respect. If you go venturing here, stay alert and watch for hazards.
Find other popular road trips across Los Angeles
- Check Out LA to Sacramento Road Trip
- Check Out Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip
- Check Out Los Angeles to Palm Springs Road Trip
- Check Out Los Angles to Lake Tahoe Road Trip
- Check Out Los Angeles to Seattle Road Trip
- Check Out Los Angeles to Las Vegas Road Trip
- See all Los Angeles road trips
Get the best rates on campervan rentals across Los Angeles
Enjoy the open road and all that California has to offer without worrying about costs. Our budget campervan rental in Los Angeles is the perfect way to travel affordably and comfortably.
FAQs about Los Angeles to Big Sur road trip
Thankfully, the drive from Los Angeles to Big Sur isn’t an extremely long one—it’s 436 miles (700 km)—but it’s still long enough to make it uncomfortable driving straight through. Instead of taking a straight 6—to 7-hour drive, use this opportunity to take a 5-day road trip to Big Sur, which will allow you to enjoy the beautiful stops along the way and make some wonderful memories.
There’s no shortage of cool places to stop along the Los Angeles to Big Sur road trip. You can start off in San Luis Obispo with a walk through Bubblegum Alley. It’s only a small detour, but it’s worth it. Next, check out the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, where hundreds of elephant seals gather along the boardwalk.
Not far from there is Hearst Castle, a huge old mansion that shows off just how over-the-top things got back in the day. Then stop at McWay Falls, where a stream flows straight into the ocean. You can’t walk down to the beach here, but the views from above are worth the pause. For a bite to eat, pull over at Nepenthe for food with a view before heading on to Big Sur.
You can collect your campervan rental from our facility in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, we don’t have a drop-off facility in Big Sur. Our drop-off locations are in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
There are some lovely freedom camping areas between Los Angeles and Big Sur that you can make use of if you don’t want to worry about paying for accommodation.
The freedom camping sites do vary in what they offer when it comes to facilities, so we recommend doing your homework and finding the sites that will work for you. Here’s a guide to freedom camping areas in California.
Hands down, April to October is the prime time for driving from Los Angeles to Big Sur. With coastal fog lighter in the warmer months and road conditions at their best, you will enjoy clearer views, better photo opportunities, and a smoother trip along Highway One.
Yes, especially if you time your trip for outside the busiest travel periods. Booking ahead can lead to off-season deals and allows you to plan the drive at your own pace, from ocean cliffs to forest trails.
You’ll be happy to know that there are no tolls en route from Los Angeles to Big Sur, so you can make the whole drive without dealing with any toll payments.
Our Campervans
Seats 2-5
Tent Optional
Chairs Optional
Ice Box Optional
Ext. Table Opt.
Gas Cooker Opt.
